A World Affairs Cruise in the Baltic

Your embarkation point is Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, located on an archipelago at the junction of Malar Lake and the Baltic Sea. Before boarding, you can explore Gamla Stan (Old Town) with its medieval streets and the Royal Palace. On Djurgarden Island, visit the Vasa Museum, featuring a 17th-century warship, the Skansen Ecomuseum with displays of Swedish traditions, and the ABBA Museum. For great views of the city, ride the SkyView gondola to the top of the Ericsson Globe, the world's largest spherical building.

The capital of Sweden occupies an archipelago in the east of the country at the junction of Malar Lake and the Baltic Sea. In Gamla stan, meaning “old town” in Swedish, you can stroll at your leisure in picturesque medieval streets until you reach the majestic Royal Palace. On the green island of Djurgarden, you can visit several very different kinds of cultural centers: the Vasa museum is dedicated to a 17th-century three-mast, the ecomuseum of Skansen presents traditional customs, and the ABBA museum is dedicated to the legendary pop group. For a fantastic, all-encompassing view of Stockholm, you can take a ride in SkyView, a glass-encased sphere gondola that takes you to the top of the world’s largest building, the Ericsson Globe, a Stockholm landmark.

Seated in the southern peninsula of Finland, Helsinki offers the buzz of a cosmopolitan city that has opted for both elegance and beauty. Explore its historical center, where the soft hues of neoclassical buildings are juxtaposed with spectacular modern constructions. The bustling Kallio district is teeming with boutiques and restaurants where you can taste some local specialties like graavilohi, a sweet, marinated, aromatic salmon dish. Keskuspuisto Park, a stone’s throw from the center, is a good place to sit and unwind.

Opening onto the Baltic Sea, to the far north of Estonia, the town of Tallin wins you over with the picturesque charm of its architecture. You can meander through its little streets in the heart of the medieval center, where its gothic town hall has been standing since 1404. The Kiek in de Kök Tower, the Orthodox Alexander Nevski Cathedral, or Toompea Castle gives visitors a taste of this town’s rich past. The city was particularly active during the medieval period, as is demonstrated by the very beautiful monuments from this period that are still visible. Don't hesitate to lose yourself in the heart of Tallinn, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This old Hanseatic city lies on the west coast of Gotland, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. Pass through the spectacular Visby fortifications and visit the old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You’ll discover the grand Visby homes of rich merchants as well as the lovely low wooden houses in the little cobbled streets. Don’t miss Saint Mary’s cathedral with its octagonal steeples, as well as the Powder Tower along the fortifications. Make sure you stop over in one of the rose-adorned cafes; indeed, roses abound in this town, where you can taste one of the island’s specialties, namely saffron pancakes with red fruit.

This ravishing city on the Baltic Sea is nicknamed “the golden door of Poland," and you can understand why when you see its beautiful Hanseatic architecture. Be charmed by the moldings and gables that enhance the colorful facades of the houses. Along the Vistula Quays, you can take a pleasant stroll among the crafts shops. In elegant Mariacka Street, the amber jewelers can most certainly tempt you into their boutiques. You can visit the church of Saint Mary and its astronomical clock. Not far, the majestic Long Market square offers the famous Artus Court and the rich Gdansk History Museum.

Lying in the south-west of the Baltic Sea, the medieval village of Gudhjem, on the island of Bornholm, is one of the most visited and most popular villages in Denmark. As you stroll along its picturesque streets, fall under the spell of its varied landscapes, its easy way of life, and the authenticity of this charming town with half-timbered houses topped with red roofs, in the Danish tradition. It is here, along these charming streets, that the first herring smokehouses were built in the mid-19th century, attracting all the region’s fishermen. Tucked away in a gorgeous natural setting composed of rocky cliffs, dense forests, and beaches of white sand, Gudhjem provides an unforgettable interlude where time seem to stand still.

Connected to the far eastern side of Sealand island, a few kilometers away from the Swedish coasts, Copenhagen offers you the high color of Scandinavian capitals. You can discover the city's riches that weave through the canal networks through the historical districts of Christiansborg and Nyhavn. Many palaces provide an apercu of Danish history. For eating, you can try out the smorrebrod, traditional Danish sandwiches made with ham, cheese, or smoked fish.

Nestling on the western coast of Sweden, at the junction of the Gota River and the Kattegat Sea area, Gothenburg enchants and surprises. Authentic and welcoming, this city of canals, edged with many green spaces, has a rich maritime history, making it Sweden’s most important port. Going beyond its commercial influence, “the cultural capital of Scandinavia” is a perfect blend of historic monuments, neo-classical architecture, and eco-districts featuring modern urban spaces. In the old Haga district, you can peruse hippy-chic fashion boutiques and bohemian cafes on the ground floors of traditional wood houses. On the hills of the city, fall under the spell of the Lutheran Masthugget Church, a sumptuous 18th-century building.

Nestling on the shores of the Glomma estuary, Fredrikstad captivates with its rich historical heritage, picturesque canals, and warm atmosphere. Founded in 1567, the fortified old town still has traces of its rich past. Fall under the spell of its cobbled, narrow streets, edged with traditional old wooden buildings, boutiques, and lively cafes, and also discover the extremely well-preserved ramparts, built almost 5 centuries ago. Nature enthusiasts also appreciate the magnificent hiking paths along the Oslo fjord and surrounding islands, such as Hanko, with its idyllic beaches and lush plains.